The “positive psychology” field has been around for decades, but we are only seeing its profound impact in society the last several years thanks to some notable research.
What scientists of the movement have discovered is that implementing practices like compassion, gratitude, positive thinking, resilience, meditation and kindness in corporate settings is good for business.
It means creating an environment that is enjoyable and productive; one that protects its most valuable resource — its people — from emotional and physical distress that attacks them daily through stress, burnout, fear (from power-based and oppressive leaders) and job insecurity.
As I researched the field for resources to give my readers more practical application, I stumbled into a gold mine by one of the top purveyors of the movement.
Enter the Positive Psychology Program, quite possibly the best positive psychology resource on the web. Co-founders Seph Fontane, an entrepreneur with a background in online marketing, and Dr. Hugo Alberts, professor of psychology at the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands, teamed up to gift us with a one-stop shop that includes things like blogs, courses, exercises, quotes, conferences and a database of top positive psychology researchers.
The Mother of All Positive Psychology Book Lists
In this outstanding blog, Fontane offers up a comprehensive “living list” of positive psychology books for newcomers, hardcore fans of the movement, and anyone in between.
Since Fontane’s list is so multi-faceted and continues to grow, I am highlighting my favorites below (in no particular order), focusing less on scholarly works and more on accessible material that people can apply in broader work and entrepreneurial settings.
If you’re just being introduced to the field, this is your book. Fontane says, “We recommend this book for absolute beginners because it describes positive psychology as it is rather than attempting to influence future research directions, so it is an excellent way to just learn about the field.”
Dr. Csikszentmihalyi is an expert in getting into a state of “flow,” and one of the pioneers of positive psychology. What exactly is flow? Fontane says, “(F)low is a state of focus that not only helps you with whatever you are working on but also helps you be happier with your work.” For added perspective, I wrote on flow here.
Seligman, commonly known as the founder of Positive Psychology and a leading authority in the field, wrote this seminal book as a “handbook aimed at introducing people to positive psychology concepts that they can use to increase their own well-being.”
4. Fredrickson, B. L. (2009). Positivity.
This handbook by Dr. Barbara Fredrickson is a great option for people struggling to achieve greater positivity in their life, or just anyone looking for actionable ways positive psychology research can help them. Positivity living is thriving, flourishing, appreciative living — looking for what’s good and what’s right in each person and situation.
Dr. Ben-Shahar is an author, serial entrepreneur and lecturer who taught two of the largest classes in Harvard University’s history — Positive Psychology and The Psychology of Leadership. He ingeniously combines scientific studies, scholarly research, self-help advice, and spiritual enlightenment and weaves them together into a set of principles that you can apply to your daily life to feel more fulfilled, more connected and, yes, happier.
This book describes the new concept of psychological wealth, which extends beyond material riches and popular concepts like emotional intelligence and social capital. Psychological wealth includes your attitudes toward life, social support, spiritual development, material resources, health, and the activities in which you engage.
The author’s goal in writing this book “is to help the reader reach ‘positively deviant performance’ — a level of performance way higher than average,” states Fontane. A great resource for business leaders looking for tips on positive leadership. For example, how encouraging compassion in employees (and themselves) can greatly improve overall happiness and organizational health.
According to Fontane, “The authors will teach you several actionable ways to start being a more effective leader, whether it is by retooling your hiring process or re-configuring how you think about employee performance.” Overall, a good resource for leaders looking to increase workplace happiness and productivity.
My personal favorite off this list, TED talk sensation Shawn Achor uses stories and case studies from his work with thousands of Fortune 500 executives in 42 countries to explain how we can reprogram our brains to become more positive in order to gain a competitive edge at work. A good choice for bosses or employees.
From Fontane: “The author interviews people in several high-stress situations, from spelling bee participants to soldiers training for the military to football coaches to CEOs, and identifies the common traits and mindsets that make them all successful. Anyone looking to find career success (or any type of success, really) with the teachings of positive psychology should find value in this book.”
My second favorite on this list, award-winning psychologist Ron Friedman uses the latest research from the fields of motivation, creativity, behavioral economics, neuroscience, and management to reveal what really makes us successful at work. Highly-entertaining, full of anecdotes and scientific evidence.
The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.